Homogenizer valve structure



Sept. 7,1943. R, YQHPE 2,328,702

HOMOGENIZER VALVE STRUCTURE Filed June 30, 1941 0 m fi w 26 a 4 (2% 15 V q ,',l..

INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 7, 1943 i io oGENIzER VALVE STRUCTURE g 1 7 ReinhardAYohpe, Battle Creek, Mich assignor a I i p to;Unin Steam Pump Company, Battle Creek,

. Mich. ADpIication JuneBO,

11 Claims.

.This invention relates' to improvements in 110- mogemzer valve'str'uctures. 7 1

The "mainbbjects of this inv'entio'n are: g 7 First, to provide an improved valvestructure for homogenizing, emulsifying and likefarirlaratus characterized by its effectiveness in'reducing the particles of fatty" emulsions such as milk,

creamandthe like. M V

Second, to provide a homogenizing" or emulsifying structure of the lforegoiiigfitype which is characterizedflby its compactness and the smallness in size of its parts. j v v Third, toprovide a homogenizer valve str'uc' ture in which thevalve is balanced so as tobe free fromvibration due to pressure surges in" the liquid passing the same. f f Y 1 Fourth, to provide a homogenizing or equivalent valve of improved, self compensating. construction involving the flow q liquidj in; two opposed directions whereby to assist infthe homogenization or emulsification thereof. f Further objects relating to details and economiesof my invention will appear from the-description to follow." The invention is definedjin theclaims,

-1 Astructure embodying ithe'featuresof my invention. is illustrated ins, wh i .Fig. 1 is afragmentaryview partiallybroken he e r n rewawayand inblongitudinall vertical section illustrating the homogenizing or emulsifying machine in accordance with my invention.

' Fig. 2 is an exploded view in plan illustrating the parts of thevalve structure and showing the relationship thereof priorlto assembly;

Referring to the drawing,.the reference nu meral l" designates the valve and pumping cylinder block of a'homogenizing machine adapted to homogenize or emulsiiy fatty liquids bybrleaking up theiatty particles thereof. Machines of this general type are well known to theart.

The block I is bored out to provide a valve cylinder or chamber 2 which is in communication through the counterbored passage 3 with ajplurality of pump cylinders and from which the liquid to be homogenized, for'example, milk or cream, is supplied to thevalvecylvinder under heavy pressure.

The cylinder, '2 telescopingly' receives various parts "of the valve structure ofmy invention, viz;

a cylindrical valve seat member 4, the hollow interior 5 ofiwhich is coaxial and in communication with passage 35 a' generally cylindrical breaker ring 6, and generally cylindrical hollow valve member ldisposed coaxial with and interiorly At its ilar annular projection or projections 22 which "ofrthe breaker ring and cylindrical end stufing box and thrust member ,Bjhaving an' integral sleeve extension} extending into cylinder 2; and 'a'se'condvalve seat member i l llwhich is telescoped Within the sleeve extension 9.,

The opposed valve seat members 4, l0 serve as centering'guidesfor the'opposite similar ends I,I ,of valve 1, these 'ends being 'peripherally Each of the gamma-rs 4, 1,0 is provided with an annular. conical valve. seat coacting with an annular conical sealing'fsurface 16, one of which is located at either opposite end of valve ,1.

The breaker ring 6 surrounds valve '1 with slight peripheral or circumferential clearance, it being understood .that'the' liquid travels in either direction axially externally ,ofthe valve between the same'andthe dially outwardly'between the coacting conical surjaces ,of the valvel and valve seat members 4,

reaker ring after passing ral 0," respectively. "To accentuate the homogeniz- 0m action, the breaker ring is provided on its internal periphery with annulargrooves I! on either side of a set of radial passages l8 formed therethrough, which passages communicate directly with an annularspace 19 surroundingthe Ibr'eaker ring Willhg'the discharge fitting 20 of thevalve." The annular idischarge space I9 is constituted by a suitable relatively wide annular groove surroimding the breaker ring. At its right hand end, as viewed in Fig. 1, the breaker ring 1611s providedfwith anannula rprojection or annularly spacedprojections 22 which are in end ,thrust engagement with the ,valve seat member 1 this latter member, being, in end thrust engagement with a. relatively hard fibrous backing 23 which is interposed between the member. and

an annular shoulder 24m one end of valve cylinder2. opposite end,th e breaker ring has a simare engaged by theannularsleeve extension 9 of the combined stufimg box and thrust member 8.

, Externally of this sleeve, cylinder. 2 is beveled or chamfered outwardly'at 25 toreceive a relatively soft annuIarQpacking ring 26, th latter being urged axially a ems' gme bevel 25 by an external annular shoulder 21 ior n'edon member 8. The

function of the relatively hard and soft packings 23, 26 will be hereinafter referred to in greater detail, and it need only bestated that the pressure for maintaining axial thrust on these packings as well as on the breaker ring 5 to maintain the latter in place is furnished by an elongated pressure head 28 which is disposed axially of cylinder 2 and maintained in f xed relation relative "to the cylinder block by means of threaded tie-rods"- or bolts 29, which extend throughspaced aper tures 30 in the said head and likewise into th valve block, one at either side of cylinder.2

increase the diameter thereof at once in order to get the same effective peripheral valve area as I obtain by splitting the area between two Pressure is transmitted to the combined stufiin'g box and thrust member 8 through the engage ment of a thrust ring 3! coaxial Withmember'B;

with an internal shoulder 32 on the thrust head 28. The ring 3| andthrust member} are aperei turedto slidably receive a central adjusting plunger 33, and the ring transmits axial-force from head 28 to'thethrust member 8 hencerto breaker ring 5, through afs'ealirjig asket swwmerl surrounds an d seals. 1th (I surface ofplunger, 3:31. r h hh y aking up he bel s or tierq s 29;the force exertedbitlrev sleeve extension 9 ofvthe thrust member 8 'on'the breaker ring 6 and end valve'seat'me'mber 4 and hardpaclging \ztmay'be adjustedesde re "1 v T e ung r-Beds emp y d r. he purpose .QI

adjusting axial v clearance between the valve s'ulb at its right han end, as viewed in Fig. 1, "the seat member. [Band at itsyleftl hand end is prov ed 'witl'r'an enlargement or shoulder, 35 a n t! @96 1 mpr i n pr n v3J5 enga es. sprih'eit "at its oppositeend engages aniadjustable abutffatty liquid to Pe tti he li id sv iorced radi l tei dlr d lvalv jlthll i'leh t e lu si in' th periphervgq its em; hen r s thel a ve and ivaivejsieat su a es 15; V 5; thence a al be hevalv andbreaker ring 6 to the exit passagesjiii et r a t th iquid vel ial y t rou h te ra l' q l f e h l n o theinterimze x v eet'm mb r IQ t eme x a y throu h 11 vflutes l2 at the lefthand ,end'l of valve 1 rest t t han Valve and r ej e r i f6, thence axially between. he coact v lar or peripheral suriaces of the valve b alger vr n e t e rad a discha e ua saeesl 8. 1 In flowing oppositely between he. Valve and realger ring, theroppqsing streamsfof liduid imping e' upon each, other with considerable force adjacent to passagesv l8 which helps considerably in aug-' h jntiue he ho ogeni ing e i L "Q'Ihe'aXiaI clearance between valvea id valve seat'su'rfaces I5 is adjustable with" nicetyyb y manipulation of the handledadjusting member 39 sothat the, desired degree of homogenization can be had. The provisions for dividing the flow so esto cause thesame'to pass'between two an;-

nula res i n valv s fac h he e edee -a it m nim ze the. area a e arts wi h- .out min miz ng the efiec i en ss of h hqm ee 'z ne c ion, c r s ond n ly; Th w b 'derstood that, were the liquid forcedbetweenfbut two annular surfaces, it "would be necessary to 'iol w n'eqe aims... a r a I f ,-Har g e thus des tibedimy invention, ,what r said @51 pairs of surfaces. For such a double diameter of valve surface it would be necessary to increase the pressure or force on the. valve four times in order to maintain an equal homogennine action; {inasmuohi the; jorcfe required varies withj thaarea which in; turn varies with the square of the radial dimension. 'likewise be apparent to those skilled in the art that by dividing the flow, of the liquid in the manner "described; I amenabled to reduce the clearance hetween'the breaker ring and valve 1 .Wsithflllt increasing the liquid pressure required;'

moreover, that I'secure the advantage of im pingementoi twoi oppositely traveling annular streams for further augmenting the: effectiveness or. the homogenizingaction. t, he structure o myrinyent o i s, vihrationless due to the'fact that theidivide d st ibutichct e iori nd andw ciehi g th 'space.e. f.. he ether 'end,'the' velocity of the fluid through'thei'nalr rower spac would. he. reduced, es t sin an increase np lessure e ween. he seatin u aces f h siend W ile the .tt jtt y tv hefqth ri nd which has the Wider opening between the seating sur ac would be, inc e s d. e ul in in ate eree eiin the le ie s xe' tween. the r ace and the diff rence in nressur sjat the two ends at the rallies te es theivelveltq bemored toe uelize "thel ressures'atboth ends resu t n in llbf: stant ally equal open ng, betw en the see me s r= a es, a both ends o he valve The divi i n; of

"the u ine a there'sn ctive nds of th 'valye'is "substantially'equal. 3.")

y, desire. to; draw attention, to t e fact that .inasmuea a's-Qhe. at t e manage d s gnat d 26,.

is softer than the other, designated 231; i s enabled; o. set fir t ag inst, he surfaces eoacti 'e .the vith,,v e diue somewhat so. as to, allow v th 1 harkierplaekius to assu e an fiective Seal ng engagement withits coastingparts, 7

p h embodiment otthe invention wh hf z o t r tes. he pr nciples ot-the invention in a h h y rabl manner, have been llustrated and e cribed- It shculd' e understood thatlthe .te eoingftermino een is us d only des rintively. i3 4 h r]. than a. imiting sense and with, mu

jinte 011 ihehidc. equ wal'ehts i the. features h escribed, within the. scope vof. the

c aim as new and desire to..sec1;re by Letters izing valve for t e ty e; (r ve 've' ch mber oneuatkoue 1 In, a

quid der p e. an. annula valv s ;at

.m mh r disposa -in, d ad acen saibfehfi 'f mderprqv rm h. an annu ar. valv -sea i nr inderr aulannu er breaker n tt hds a t eh le de m ice valv oneentrically -receiyedby It will anbreah rr neiwere siren pe ip e ew ance therebetween. afurther annularjvalv member in said cylinderprovided with an annu-. larvalve seat concentric withsaid cylinder and valve, said valve having opposed surfaces at ei ther ndboa'cting 'with said seats to provide hoe msgemzmg assages therebetwe'en in commum'-' cationwith' the peripheral surface intermediate said valve and breaker ring, liquid supplied underpressure to said valve cylinder dividing adjacent said valve and in part traversing the hollow interior thereof whereby streams of liquid arefor'ced between said coacting valve-surfaces and'seats at either end of the valve, thence axially in oppositedirections externally of the valve between thesame and said breaker ring, the lat-*- ter being provided with radial discharge passages intermediate its ends for the discharge of said liquid, and" adjustable spring :means for compressing said'valve and its seat membersaxia'lly;

2. In a homogenizing valve of the type described, a cylindricalvalve chamber. open at one end thereof for'communication with asourcelof liquid-under pressure, an annular valve seat end thereof for,communication-wwitha source iof liquid under pressure; an'annular valve seat mem-V ber disposed-:in:andradjacentsaid end of said cyl-v inder provided with an-eannuiar :valve seat con-1 centric with the cylinden-a'double ended hollow cylindrical "valve, a further annular valve seatmember in said cylinder provided with an annu- I lar valve seat concentric with said cylinderand valve, said..,,valve' having opposed surfacesfat eithersend-coactlng with said seats to provide homogenizing passages therebetween in commu;

nication with, theliperipheral surface intermediatesaidvalve, saidzvalve having guide means at :its ends fitting slidably in'said annular. valve seat membersto guide said valve to said valve seats, liquid supplied under, pressure to said valve cylinder dividing adjacent said valve andinmember disposed in and adjacent said end of said cylinder provided with an annular valve seat concentric with the cylinden fan annular: breaker ring abutting said seat member disposed concentrically in said cylinder, a double endedhollow cylindrical valve concentrically received by said breaker ring with asmall peripheralicleab ance therebetween, a further annular valve seat theylattenbeing provided with radial discharge passages intermediate of said liquid.

l 3. In ahomcgenizing valve of the type dc-,- scribeda cylindrical valve chamberopen at one its ends for, the discharge end thereof forgcommunication with ascurce of ,1

part traversing the hollow, interior thereof whereby, streams of; liquid are forced between said coacting valve surfaces and seats at either end ,of the.valve,,and means for discharging said liquidafter, it-traverses-said surfaces and seats.

5;:In a;valvestructure of the type described, a cylindrical valve chamber having concentrically disposed therein an outer generally cylindrical breaker ring, a double ended hollow cylindrical floating valve telescoped in said breaker ring with slight circumferentialclearance and valve seatmembers disposed at either end of and concentric with said valve for coactiontherewith, said seat members andvalve having coactingvalve surfaces adjustable, at the ends of the valve, and the, seat members being centrally apertured for communication withthe interior of the valve and telescopicallyreceiving. the ends of the latter, means'on'said valve for communicating the same adjacent the ends thereof with thespa'ce between saidsurfaces whereby liquid may travel in oppositedirectionsfrom theends of said valve past said coactingjk-surfaces at either end, thence axially 'of thejvalve between the same and said breaker ring;the'1atter' having. centrally arranged discharge passages communicating with thejperipheral space betweenthe breaker ring and valve for the outward discharge of liquid.

6.,In a homogenizing valve of the type, de-, scribed qa-valve chamber open at one end for communication with a source of 1 liquid under pressure, "a valve seat, surrounding said opening,

liquid: under pressure, an, annular valve seat member disposed in and adjacent said end of said cylinder provided with an annular ,valve seat concentric with the cylinder, a doubleyended hollow cylindrical-valve, a further annularivalve seat member in saidcylinder provided] with, an

annular valveseat concentric with said cylinder and valve, said valve. having opposed surfaces at either end coacting with said seats to provide homogenizing passages therebetween in communication with the peripheral surface intermediate said valve, said valve having guide means at its ends fitting slidably in said annular valve seat members to guide said valve to said valve seats, liquid supplied under pressure to said valve cylinder dividing adjacent said valve and a double endedlhollow cylindrical valve having a valvesurface coacting with said seat and another valve surface at its'opposite end, a valve seat member havinga seat to cooperate with said second-named surface'on said valve and having an opening therein, and guidezmeans on said valve slidably; fitting in said oipenings to guide said valves tosaidyalve seats, and adjustable spring means for urging said valve seat membcr'against said valve and for urging said valve against said first mentioned valve seat.

- '7. Ida homogenizing valve of the type described, a valve {chamber open at one end for communication with a source of liquid under pressure, a Valve seat surrounding said opening,

- a double ended hollow cylindricalvalve having a i valve surface coacting with said seat and another valve surface at its opposite end, a valve seat inember having a seat to cooperate with said second-named surface on said valve and having an opening therein, and guide means on said valve slidably fitting in said openings to guide 7 said valves to said valve seats, and means for urging said valve seat member against said valve and for urging said valve against said first mentioned valve seat.

In a homogenizing valve of. the type} ale-s scribed, valve chamber. openiiat one iendi v and: closedat the other end and? having an axi-at inslet opening into saidi closed end, an: annular valve:

seat member disposediin and adjacent theclosedtend of said chamber and surrounding said iinlet;

a hard packing disposed between said valve seat me nberand the" endvof the chamber, a valve seat ori said'c-valve seat member, a double end holz-i low 'valve axially disposed in said: chamber-and: having-an axial-passage there-through, avalv seat member at theother end of saidvalve'andi having a valve seat thereon, said valve having valve surfaces thereon the opposite ends cooperating with said valve seats; adjustablepressure means for urging said second-valve seat member into saidchamber to axially compress: said? valve and valve seat members, an annular breaker ring surrounding said valve and: abuti'lingsai'd-v first; valve seat member, a gland abutting said breaker ring, soft packing means between said gland; and said valve chamber, and meansfoz urging'said gland into said chamber against said second mentioned-packing and toforcesaid breaker ring against said first valve seat member tol urge it against said hard packing, said soitpackingbeing engageable first by' said gland and compressible thereby before compression of said hard packing.

9'; In a homogenizing valve of the type-described, a valve chamber open at one end and closed at the oth'erend and having axial-linlet opening into said-closed end, an annular valve seat member disposed-in andadjacent the cl'os'ed endof said chamber and surrounding said inlet,

a-packing disposed between said valve seat men'i her and the end of the chamber, a valve 'seat on valve seats, adjustablepressure' means feru-r g' ing said second valve seat member int'm said v chamber to axially compress said valve and valve seat members, an annular breaker ring surround 'ing' said" valve and abutting said firstvalve-sea't 7 member, a gland abutting saidbreaker ring,

' packing means between said gland and said valve chamber, and means for urging sai'd gland: into said chamber against said fsecond mentioned packing and to force said breaker ring against said first valve seat member: to urge it-against said first mentioned packing, the one of said packings first engageable being softer than: the other, whereby. sealing of said valve chaimberis assured.

10. 'In a homogenizing alve of the type eleassured. iii

scribed, a valve chamberopen at. oneend and closedatv the other: end and having; an axial in let; opening'into saidclosed end; an. annular valve seat member disposedirr: and adjacent. the-closed endgofsaid chamber and surroundingsaid inlet a hardpacking disposed: between said valve seat membenand the end of the chamber, a valve seat valve seat member, a double and hollow: valve axially disposed in. 'said: chamber aie dzhaving, an axial passage therethrough; a valve seat; member-at. theotherend of said valve and; havingza valve seat thereon, said: valve. having: valve surfaces thereon thefopposite endsv cooperating; with: said. valve: seats,, adjustable pres:-

. against said second mentioned; packingand. to

fierce: said sleeve member against said first valve seat member to; urgeqit; against said. hardi packe- 'ing,. saidgsoi't packing. being engageable first by saidiglandand.compressible thereby before. comppression of saidhardpacking;

11...In; a homogenizing valveofi the type descri'bed,..a valvechamben' open at one' end and. closed at the otherend and having. an. axial. inletopening. into said closed end, an annular valve seat member disposedirr and adjacent theclosed enctof said chamber and surrounding, said inlet, a. pacltingdisposed between said valveseat memi-v her andthea end of the. chamber,. a valve seat on said. valve seat member, a doubleend; hollowvalve disposed'iini said chamber and: having an axialv passage therethrough; a valve seat-.member attheend'ofr said valve and having a" valve seat thereomi said. valve having valve surfaces thereonthe opposite.endszcooperating said valveseats, adjustable pressure means for urgingisaidiisecond. valve seat member vintosaid chamber to axiallvcornpresssaid valve andavalve seat membersi-and; annular sleeve member sur rounding said valve and abutting said first valve into said chamber against said; second mentioned packing and to force said sleevemember against said first valveseat member urge-it against said'first mentioned-packing,- the one. of said ipackings' first engageable'being softer than the othenl whereby sealing of said. valve: chamber is I '7 I RE NHARn A, YOHPE, 

